Xbox 360 Rock Band M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller)

by Mad Catz

Product Features

• Full-featured USB Microphone ( 9 Ft. (2.75m) Cable). Game sold separately.
• Integrated game controller with Xbox Guide Button
• Controller lock/unlock switch prevents accidental button presses
• Premium-quality soft-touch rubber finish
• Wide frequency response for crystal-clear vocals

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001B1AL88
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 2.5 inches ; 2.9 ounces
• Media: Accessory
• Release Date: October 21, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,063 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Belt out the highs and croon the lows of your favorite tracks with Mad Catz¿ officially licensed M.I.C. ¿ Microphone with Integrated Controller. Specifically designed for use with the hit title `Rock Band¿ and featuring a very pleasant-to-hold soft rubber finish, just plug into an available USB port and sing away. The built-in controller replete with an Xbox Guide Button makes navigating in-game menus a breeze and the special lock/unlock feature will help prevent accidental gameplay-hindering button presses when all you want to do is carry a tune. Unique and fully USB compliant, you get the smooth sound, consistent clarity and wide frequency response required to help you sound your best when it matters most.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No really, it's a great idea, but a BAD mic., December 1, 2008

By 

Michael Jackson "-Mike" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Xbox 360 Rock Band M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller) (Accessory)

I've been waiting for something like this to come out since the day we got Rock Band. When I saw it at Frys, I bought it immediately.

Talk about disappointment. Right out of the box I knew I was in for a let down.

There are MANY things wrong with this MIC, but as its primary function is a MICROPHONE, failing in this catagory is most damning. And boy does it fail. We're not *amazing* singers but we can easily get flawless on expert in a few of the songs we know well. But when we sing with this mic, the arrow never stops bouncing around. No amount of adjustment to the mic sensitivity or volume, or (even removing the bezel/foam) seems to make a difference. It is simply less accurate.

As for the mic physically, I'll be brief. It looks and feels much less "real" than the official Rockband Mic. The grill bezel is plastic, the d-pad is unresponsive, the buttons layout is uninspired -- Mad Catz made a Rock Band mic, why not remove the unnecessary buttons, add a proper R1 and make the D-pad actually usable -- the cord is too short, and overall it feels cheap, despite the "velvet" texture.

But again, all that is moot since the actual microphone lacks any accuracy whatsoever. A true shame, because otherwise it would almost be worth it. Do not buy.

The good:

Having buttons on the Mic, obviously.

The Bad:

Microphone sensor is absolutely unplayable

D-pad is frustrating at best, useless at worst

Button layout is uninspired

Cord is too short

Looks and feels more plastic than the official RockBand Mic

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Low quality mic., November 6, 2008

By 

Robert Ruggiero - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Xbox 360 Rock Band M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller) (Accessory)

The controller functions are definitely cool although there are no bumper buttons or triggers. This means you can't view set lists from the venue screen.

But the actually quality of the mic is terrible. On my original rock band mic I have the sensitivity way down and it's able to pick up all ranges of my voice, including garbling. But with this new M.I.C mic the sensitivity is too low. I raise and raise it, higher and higher but there are still times when the mic just won'yt pick up my voice. This is especially noticable during the yellow overdrive swirlies...you say, "whooooo" but it doesn't pick it up. I'll be singing along and the pitch indicator on the screen will flicker on and off. And this is after adjusting the sensitivity.

Also of note is that the M.I.C. cable is only 9 feet. The standard rock band mic is 15 feet.

Thumbs down because the actual mic is low quality.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad, November 13, 2008

By 

J. Helms - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Xbox 360 Rock Band M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller) (Accessory)

The M.I.C. is more of a novelty than a breakthrough; it is pretty much the same as any other USB corded microphone. The biggest benefit is if you are using the wireless controller in coordination with your microphone you don't kill your batteries using this one. I've also noticed that while using this product you have to yell *really* loud in order to activate your overdrive, although that's not necessarily bad since you're playing a loud game. Also the M.I.C. does not have any trigger buttons so you can't be heard when playing multiplayer online and I do not believe there is a headset plug either. I would not purchase this product again after using it when a cheaper microphone will do the same. If you have the extra money and want the convenience of just one controller then this is your item.